Research methods

Experimental Method

A research method where variables are manipulated and controlled to establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Laboratory Experiment

An experiment conducted in a controlled environment where the researcher manipulates the IV and controls extraneous variables.

Strengths of Laboratory Experiment

High control of variables, easy to replicate, allows for cause-and-effect conclusions.

Weaknesses of Laboratory Experiment

Low ecological validity, risk of demand characteristics, artificial environment may affect behaviour.

Strength of Laboratory Experiment

High control of variables allows for cause-and-effect conclusions and high internal validity.

Weakness of Laboratory Experiment

Low ecological validity due to artificial setting, possible demand characteristics.

Field Experiment

An experiment conducted in a natural environment where the IV is still manipulated by the researcher.

Strengths of Field Experiment

Higher ecological validity, participants may behave more naturally, still allows manipulation of IV.

Weaknesses of Field Experiment

Less control over extraneous variables, ethical concerns if participants are unaware, harder to replicate.

Strength of Field Experiment

Higher ecological validity than lab experiments, participants often unaware, reducing demand characteristics.

Weakness of Field Experiment

Less control over extraneous variables, harder to replicate.

Natural Experiment

An experiment where the IV is naturally occurring and not manipulated by the researcher.

Strengths of Natural Experiment

Can study real-world situations, useful where IVs can't be ethically manipulated, high ecological validity.

Weaknesses of Natural Experiment

No control over IV, hard to replicate, cause and effect cannot always be established.

Strength of Natural Experiment

Allows study of variables that are unethical or impractical to manipulate, high ecological validity.

Weakness of Natural Experiment

No control over the IV or extraneous variables, hard to replicate.

Quasi-Experiment

An experiment where the IV is based on a pre-existing difference (e.g. age, gender) and not manipulated.

Strengths of Quasi-Experiment

Allows comparison of groups with naturally occurring differences, useful when manipulation is not possible.

Weaknesses of Quasi-Experiment

Cannot randomly allocate, confounding variables reduce internal validity.

Strength of Quasi-Experiment

Useful when IVs cannot be manipulated, allows comparison between groups.

Weakness of Quasi-Experiment

Cannot randomly allocate participants, less control over confounding variables.

Observation

A research method where behaviour is watched and recorded, either quantitatively or qualitatively.

Naturalistic Observation

Observation of behaviour in a natural setting without interference.

Strengths of Naturalistic Observation

High ecological validity, behaviour observed in real-life settings.

Weaknesses of Naturalistic Observation

Difficult to control variables, observer bias, difficult to replicate.

Strength of Naturalistic Observation

High ecological validity, behaviour more likely to be genuine.

Weakness of Naturalistic Observation

Lack of control over variables, hard to replicate.

Controlled Observation

Observation of behaviour in a structured and controlled environment.

Strengths of Controlled Observation

Control over variables improves reliability, easier to replicate.

Weaknesses of Controlled Observation

May lack ecological validity, demand characteristics possible.

Strength of Controlled Observation

Greater control over variables, easier to replicate.

Weakness of Controlled Observation

May reduce ecological validity, behaviour may be influenced by the setting.

Covert Observation

Participants are unaware they are being observed.

Strength of Covert Observation

Reduces demand characteristics, behaviour is more natural.

Weakness of Covert Observation

Raises ethical concerns regarding informed consent.

Overt Observation

Participants are aware they are being observed.

Strength of Overt Observation

More ethical, participants give consent.

Weakness of Overt Observation

Increased risk of demand characteristics affecting behaviour.

Participant Observation

The researcher becomes actively involved in the group being studied.

Strength of Participant Observation

Researcher gains deeper insight into the group’s behaviour.

Weakness of Participant Observation

Researcher may lose objectivity and become biased.

Non-Participant Observation

The researcher observes without becoming involved in the group.

Strength of Non-Participant Observation

Maintains objectivity and reduces bias.

Weakness of Non-Participant Observation

May miss key insights from lack of involvement.

Self-Report Technique

Participants provide information about themselves, usually through questionnaires or interviews.

Questionnaire

A set of written questions used to gather data from participants.

Strengths of Questionnaires

Quick and cost-effective, can collect data from many people, easy to analyse.

Weaknesses of Questionnaires

Low response rate, social desirability bias, may lack depth.

Strength of Questionnaire

Can collect data from large samples quickly, easy to analyse.

Weakness of Questionnaire

May have low response rates or social desirability bias.

Structured Interview

Interview with pre-set, standardised questions in a fixed order.

Strengths of Structured Interview

Standardised format increases reliability

Weaknesses of Structured Interview

May lack flexibility, limits depth of information.

Strength of Structured Interview

Easy to replicate, results are more reliable.

Weakness of Structured Interview

Less flexibility to explore unexpected responses.

Unstructured Interview

Interview where questions are more open-ended and flexible.

Strengths of Unstructured Interview

Produces rich qualitative data, allows deeper exploration.

Weaknesses of Unstructured Interview

Harder to analyse, less reliable, interviewer bias more likely.

Strength of Unstructured Interview

Allows richer, more detailed responses.

Weakness of Unstructured Interview

Harder to replicate and analyse, may lack reliability.

Correlation

A statistical method that assesses the strength and direction of a relationship between two co-variables.

Strengths of Correlation

Can identify relationships between variables, useful when experiments are not ethical or practical.

Weaknesses of Correlation

Does not establish causation, may be affected by a third variable, only shows linear relationships.

Analysis of Co-Variables

Involves calculating the correlation coefficient to determine how closely two variables are related.

Difference Between Correlation and Experiment

Correlations identify relationships but do not show cause and effect. Experiments manipulate the IV to establish causality.

Strengths of Correlation

Can identify relationships between variables, useful when experiments are not ethical or practical.

Weaknesses of Correlation

Does not establish causation, may be affected by a third variable, only shows linear relationships.

Limitation of Correlation

Cannot infer causation due to lack of control over extraneous variables may be a third variable involved.

Strengths of Correlation

Can identify relationships between variables, useful when experiments are not ethical or practical.

Weaknesses of Correlation

Does not establish causation, may be affected by a third variable, only shows linear relationships